Tobias Basses to be Made in USA
July 20, 2003
Tobias is bringing production home to America with
a new line of basses handcrafted in Conway, Arkansas. The new U.S.-made Tobias basses will feature exotic wood combinations,
custom Bartolini electronics, neck-thru-body construction.
Tobias basses offer a wide range of tone qualities and voicings from different tone woods. Because they employ a neck-thru-body
design, the composition of the neck also plays a critical role in the tone. By combining different soft and hard woods, the sound is
tailored to the needs of the player, making for an extremely versatile instrument. Tobias basses are fitted with highly respected
Bartolini electronics, and Bill Bartolini is working with Tobias to design new pickups for the U.S. models.
The first Tobias basses were made by luthier Mike Tobias in Orlando in 1977 and sold through his store, The Guitar Shop, later in
California. The Tobias company joined the Gibson family in 1990, and production was moved to Nashville in 1992. The new
USA Tobias basses will be made in a facility previously used for Baldwin grand piano production; Baldwin was acquired by
Gibson in 2001. The Toby line of basses, modeled after the Tobias line and produced overseas since the mid 1990s, will continue
to be offered through Gibson's internet-based direct sales division, Musicyo.com.
For more information, visit their web site at www.gibson.com. |
